3GS Compass doesn't like my Armada's compass

[Stone 13]

1st post here awesome forum,

I've noticed that my Compass requires recalibration everytime I get into my Nissan Armada. I think I have traced it to the builtin compass in my SUV, if I put my iPhone anywhere close to the center console and start maps, the compass requires me to do the "figure 8", but it never seems to calibrate, I get out and everything is fine. Anyone else experienced this or have a solution?

 

[Torq]

1st post here awesome forum,

I've noticed that my Compass requires recalibration everytime I get into my Nissan Armada. I think I have traced it to the builtin compass in my SUV, if I put my iPhone anywhere close to the center console and start maps, the compass requires me to do the "figure 8", but it never seems to calibrate, I get out and everything is fine. Anyone else experienced this or have a solution?

It is vastly more likely to be metallic mass of the vehicle itself that is upsetting the iPhone's compass than any interaction with the compass in your SUV. Though putting magnetometers close together can cause issues.

The strength of the Earth's magnetic field is easily overwhelmed by large blocks of ferrous material in close proximity, electric currents or large permanent/electro magnets in the vicinity of a compass.

Compasses designed for use in cars are built to compensate for this (often with adjustable compensators).

 

[kdarling]

Don't calibrate in a car:

http://support.apple.com/kb/TS2767